Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Get on TV This Year

Last year I outlined the 10 Steps to Becoming a TV Expert. Well ... I'd like to add an 11th one: if you can't get in through the front door, try the back one. What I mean is this: if there's a TV series that ties in with your passions & interests (instead of your expertise), apply to be on it as a contributor. For example, if you like cooking, get in touch with the Come Dine With Me team. If you're house proud, try ITV's May the Best House Win, etc. Because all these shows give you a platform to say who you are and what you do. They also give your personality a chance to shine through. Plus an understanding of how TV programmes are made, contacts within TV production companies and the chance of being clocked by the channel's commissioning editor. Think of Ben Fogle. He was on BBC's Castaway as a contributor in 2000 and hasn't been off our TV screens since. And the same is true of Alison Hammond. She was on the third series of Big Brother in 2002 and is now a regular on This Morning. So if you want to get on TV this year, think of the programmes you'd be good on and google them. If they're looking for contributors there will usually be something on the website. Good luck! (And if you want to find out how to promote yourself as a TV expert, come along to one of the 'Could you be a TV expert? seminars I'm hosting with Mentorn Media's Head of On-Screen Talent. Details in post below.)

No comments: